كَذَٰلِكَ سَلَكْنَـٰهُ فِى قُلُوبِ ٱلْمُجْرِمِينَ 200
Translations
Thus have We inserted it [i.e., disbelief] into the hearts of the criminals.
Transliteration
Kathalika salaknahoo fee quloobil-mujrimeen
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah states that just as We have made the Qur'an easy to recite and remember (as mentioned in the preceding ayah 26:195), We have similarly placed rejection and disbelief in the hearts of the criminals and wrongdoers. Classical scholars like Al-Tabari and Ibn Kathir interpret this as Allah's divine will allowing the hearts of those who persist in transgression to become sealed and hardened against the message, as a consequence of their own choices and persistent rejection of truth.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in the final section of Surah Ash-Shu'ara, which addresses the Meccan disbelievers' rejection of the Qur'an and the Prophet Muhammad. The context reflects the broader Meccan period where the disbelievers actively resisted and ridiculed the message, despite its clarity and eloquence, demonstrating that receptiveness to faith depends on the state of one's heart and willingness to submit.
Related Hadiths
The theme relates to Sahih Bukhari 7:165, where the Prophet (peace be upon him) mentioned that hearts can become sealed through persistent disobedience. Additionally, the Qur'an itself (47:16) speaks of those whose hearts Allah has sealed due to their rejection.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah reminds believers that rejecting divine guidance has spiritual consequences—hearts progressively harden when truth is consistently refused. It also encourages Muslims to guard their hearts through obedience and sincere seeking of knowledge, recognizing that spiritual receptiveness is both a gift from Allah and a responsibility we must nurture through righteous conduct.